Two long-time employees retire

Wednesday

Dec 26, 2012 at 10:53 AMDec 26, 2012 at 10:53 AM

Hillsdale Daily News

After 67 combined years of service, the Hillsdale County Road Commission will lose two supervisors to retirement during the last quarter of 2012. Roger Lauchlen retired after 40 years of service with the commission on Oct. 31. Lauchlen was the road commission’s paving and sealcoat foreman. “Roger was especially skilled in the application of chip sealing,” said Stan Clingerman, engineering manager. “He helped us preserve many miles of pavement over his career.” Sam Gier will retire Friday after 27 years with the commission. Gier currently serves as the operations superintendent. He is responsible for the overall operations of all the road crews. “Sam had a special relationship with our crews,” Clingerman said. “They liked working for him, and he knew how to maintain our paved and gravel roads.” Both men started as motor grader operators. Clingerman said that due to declining or flat road revenues from the state neither position will be filled at this time. The number of road commission employees has shrunk from 50 to 43 in the past seven years, a 14 percent decrease. Clingerman cautioned as the staffing levels shrink the service level from the commission will undoubtedly decline. “It is difficult to lose two supervisors with their special skills so close together, but we wish Roger and Sam the best in their retirement — they deserve it,” Clingerman said. After eight years of working as a truck driver and equipment operator with the commission Bill Hendershot has been promoted to county foreman. “We have a great group of employees who know their jobs well, and I’m confident that with time, we will adjust to this loss,” Clingerman said.